Kyle Walker says it’s ‘unfair’ and ‘wrong’ to suggest that England boss Gareth Southgate isn’t getting the best out of the likes of Tottenham Hotspur playmaker, James Maddison.
With Tottenham’s summer signing starting on the left of a front three rather than in his regular midfield position, England and Ukraine drew 1-1 on Saturday in their Euro 2024 qualifying match.
Numerous criticisms of Southgate were leveled at him following the Three Lions’ dismal performance against Ukraine. These criticisms included the manner the manager employed players like James Maddison.
Kyle Walker, a right-back for Manchester City, was unfazed by this and asserted that the team have “enough creative talent” to harm the opposition, away from the manager, in an interview with talkSPORT.
Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane, among others, started in addition to Madison. Jordan Henderson being included in the starting XI, though, infuriated fans.
Despite making the move to a supposedly lower league this summer, Henderson not only started in place of a Phil Foden in the centre of the park and instead of a James Maddison, but he also played the entire game as Walker responded to the criticism.
Gareth Southgate and Maddison
To be fully honest, Walker replied, “I believe it’s a little harsh. “I think athletes have week in and week out when they play at their club, like Madison does. training to adjust to it continuously over time.
There are a certain number of days in Gaeth where some players play on Sundays and others on Saturdays. Others are unable to train as much as they would want to because of injuries. Not as simple as folks might believe.
“All right, we have a great collection of players. But you have to realize what he has to work with and how much time he has to work with, so James Maddison, Harry Kane, and Jude Bellingham are enough creative players on the field. At Real Madrid, he has been unstoppable. Jordan Henderson, who goes by Hendo.
The amount of creative skill is sufficient to harm teams. In that regard, I believe the critique is somewhat inaccurate.
Maddison-Rice-Bellingham
That is the midfield that ought to have started against Ukraine; if Maddison wasn’t available, Phil Foden ought to have taken his place.
In any case, Southgate’s current midfield is way too safe, so it will be intriguing to see what kind of lineup he selects for Tuesday’s match against Scotland.
Given that the match is scheduled to take place at Hampden, despite appearing to be a friendly on paper, it will be anything but. If Maddison starts, he should do so in a midfield position.
